When reproved by the prophet at Gilgal, Saul saw no great sin in the course he had pursued. He felt that he had been treated unjustly, and endeavored to vindicate his actions and offered excuses for his error. From that time he had little intercourse with the prophet. Samuel loved Saul as his own son, while Saul, bold and ardent in temper, had held the prophet in high regard; but he resented Samuel's rebuke, and thenceforth avoided him so far as possible.

Da profeten irettesatte Saul i Gilgal, kunne han ikke selv indse, at han havde begået en stor synd. Han følte, at han var blevet uretfærdigt behandlet, og forsøgte at retfærdiggøre sin handlemåde og at undskylde sine fejl. Fra det øjeblik havde han ikke ret megen forbindelse med profeten mere. Samuel elskede Saul som sin egen søn, og den iltre og temperamentsfulde Saul havde holdt profeten højt i ære. Men Saul var blevet fornærmet over Samuels irettesættelse og søgte så vidt muligt at undgå ham.